Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

295. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the recent figures for the strength in whole-time equivalent terms of the Permanent Defence Force with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45493/17]

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

296. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the recent figures for the strength of the Reserve Defence Forces with regard to all three services and all ranks; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45494/17]

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

297. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional recruits the Permanent Defence Force have taken on to date in 2017 with regard to all three services; the gender breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45495/17]

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

298. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of whole-time equivalent persons who have been recruited in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, to the Permanent Defence Forces. [45496/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 to 298, inclusive, together.

The following tables set out below provide the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 30 September 2017 across all three services and ranks, broken down by gender. The figures provided are for whole time equivalent posts.

Army

Air Corps

Naval Service

The tables below set out the effective strength of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve as of 30 September 2017, by rank, service and gender.

Army Reserve

Naval Service Reserve

The table below sets out the number of additionalgeneral service recruits the Permanent Defence Force have taken on to-date in 2017.

The table below sets out the number of whole time equivalent persons recruited in the years 2017 to-date (including general service recruits, cadets, direct entry).

There is significant ongoing recruitment at both enlisted and officer level and it is anticipated that up to 800 new personnel will have been inducted into the Permanent Defence Force during 2017. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers. A range of recruitment methods are being employed including direct entry competitions for specialist positions and the scope to further expand direct entry is being considered.

I remain committed to maximising recruitment to the Defence Forces and ensuring that, where possible, the terms and conditions of service are as favourable as they can be within the current budgetary parameters.

With the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, the Government is committed to retaining the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government both at home and abroad.